DEVELOPMENT OF PULP AND PAPER USING STEM AND FRUIT STEM OF MUSA SPECIES

Authors : Femi OWOEYE

Pages : 34-52

Doi:10.54559/jauist.1140132

View : 35 | Download : 29

Publication Date : 2023-07-02

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Paper is a thin material mainly used for writing, printing and packaging. The stem and fruit stem of two Musa species: Musa Acuminata balbisiana insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Banana stem); and Musa Paradisiaca insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Plantain stem); were expended. The stem chips were charged into a digester with different percentages insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(5, 10 and 15 %); of sodium hydroxide insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(NaOH); and were subjected to the impregnating temperature insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(60oC); for 1-hour before heating to 100oC for 3-hour. The stems were pounded finely with mortar and pestle and then bleached using 15 % of hydrogen peroxide. Calcium carbonate insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(10 %); was added to both pulps obtained as filler while 5 % glue was added as a sizing agent. The mixture was agitated, pressurized, air-dried and mechanical tests were carried out. It was shown that the tearing resistance, tensile strength and elongation tests obtained using 5 % NaOH for banana, plantain and banana fruit stems were 0.84 mN, 17.82 N/m2, 4.90 mm; 1.35 mN, 14.95 N/m, 2.17 mm; and 1.90 mN, 24.77 N/m2, 5.49 mm; while the pulp yields were 36.7 %, 35.5 % and 38.5 % respectively. The results obtained using 10 % NaOH for banana, plantain and banana fruit stems were 0.80 mN, 17.30 N/m2, 4.85 mm; 1.25 mN, 14.73 N/m2, 2.0 mm; 1.85 mN, 23.60 N/m2, 5.35 mm; while the pulp yields were 35.80 %, 34.12 %, 32.25 % in that order. Also using 15 % of NaOH for banana , plantain and banana fruit stems gave 0.70 mN, 6.89 N/m2, 1.86 mm; 0.79 mN, 8.70 N/m2, 2.90 mm, and 1.5 mN, 12.62 N/m2, 3.03 mm while the pulp yields were 33.8, 33.11 and 31.03 % respectively. This showed that banana fruit stem pulped at 5% NaOH gave better results than banana and plantain stems. Conclusively the pulp is suitable for the production of fibreboards and cartons.
Keywords : impregnating temperature, bleached, pulp, pressurized, tearing resistance, tensile strength